An Egg & Spinach Amphora Vase

A mid-nineteenth century egg and spinach glazed amphora vase.

Egg and spinach (or tiger skin pattern) ceramics or stonewares are characterised by their stained glaze of yellows, browns and greens. To achieve this look, the colour was applied directly to the underglaze. Following this, a clear glaze was applied to seal the colour. The effect this method created is closely related to that of Chinese sancai porcelain which originated around the 8th century.

Amphoras, too, have a long standing history and were used to transport liquids and in some cases dry goods since Neolithic times.